Phonographs having record changing mechanism



H. J. FORTUNE PHONOGRAPHS' HAVING RECORD CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 15. 1950 Dec. 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Shea Dec. 25, 1956 H. J. FORTUNE 2,775,459

PHONOGRAP IJS HAVING RECORD CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 13, 1950 2 Sheets- Shcet 2 n ted States Patent PHONOGRAPHS HAVING RECORD CHANGING MECHANISM Henry- James Fortune, Swindon, England, assignor to The Garrard Engineering and Maniifacmring Company Limited, Swindon, England This invention relates to phonographs having record changing mechanism by which records are automatically delivered in sequence from the bottom of a stack to the turntable.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a record changing phonograph by which records of different sizes may be played, it being'the object of' the invention to provide improved record platform or supporting means and associated tone arm selecting means by which the following different records may be accommodated, viz. 12 records having a centre support and marginal support; 10" records having a centre support and a marginal support; 7- records having a centre support and a marginal support; and 7" records having a large centre hole and a centre support only. The above sizes of records, of course, may be varied to suit a particular market.

According to the invention a marginal record supporting platform is adapted to be displacedfrom a 12" supporting position to a 10 supporting position and is provided with a relatively displaceable 7 supporting element which is adapted to be moved to an operative position when the platform is in the 10" position.

The platform is provided with a record feeding element for engaging 12 and 10" records and the 7" marginal supporting element is provided with a feeding member adapted to co-operate with the feeding element when said supporting element is in the operative position.

The marginal record supporting platformis displaceable by a compound pivotal movement by a pivoted tone arm selecting lever, which has a setting movement from the 10" to the 7" position without affecting the platform.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l isa plan of the improved record supporting means.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is an end elcvation.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan showing the tone arm setting linkage.

Figure 5 is asectional elevation showing the parts in position for supporting 7" records.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example the phonograph is provided with means for accommodating a fixed offset spindle for small centre hole 7", and 12" records and also alternatively a supporting and release means for large centre hole 7" records. Such means may be according to my application No. 180,918, now U. S. Patent No. 2,683,039.

The marginal supporting means for the small centre hole records comprise a bracket element 1 secured to and projecting downwardly from the motor board 2. The bracket element has spaced downwardly depending flanges 3 to which are pivoted the legs or side walls 4, 5 of a platform support or mounting, the side walls extend- "ing through an aperture in the board 2. The upper parts 50f the side walls 4, 5 located above the board are connected by aweb 6.

2,775,459 Patented Dec. 1956 Just below the motor board the platform support carries a transverse spindle 7 the ends of which extend through slots 8 in the adjacent bracket flanges 3. One end of the spindle 7 is engaged by a cam surface 9' on a selecting lever 10 which extends, through the slot in the motor board and is pivoted at 11 intermediate its ends'on a bracket flange 3. At its lower end the lever 10 isprpvided with a roller 12 engaging a spring controlled index arm 13 pivoted on said flange 3.

The cam surface 9 moves the platform support forwardly from the 12" to the 10" position, the return being effected by spring means 14.

The ends, of the slots 8 above mentioned are engaged by the spindle 7 when the, platform support is located in either of its two positions.

When the platform support is inits forward or 10" position, further movement of the lever 10 may be made to a 7 position, thelever cam having a part 15 concentric with the pivot 11 which permits this movement.

A platform 16 of channel form in cross section for 12 and 10' records is pivotally mounted at 17 intermediate i ts ends in the platform support and at its rear end is jpivotedto the upper end of an upwardly extending arm 18 of a bell crank lever, the lower arm 19 of which has a pin 20 engaging in a slot 21 in the bracket flange 5, the slot being more or less horizontal or slightly inclined. The intermediate part of the bell crank lever has a more or less vertical slot 22 through which the before-mentioned spindle 7 projects so that such slotted part of the bell crank moves forwardly or rearwardly with the movements of the platform support. By sugh arrangement, as the platform support moves from the 12" to the 10" position, the platform 16 will be pivoted to move its forward record supporting part to the correct level for the 10 records.

At its forward end the platform 16 is slotted at 2 3 for a feeding tooth 24 formed on a plate 25 which is pivotally mounted on the upper end of a tooth lever 26 which is located within the platform support and is pivoted on the spindle 7; spring means 27 hold the feeding tooth resiliently in the upper feeding position. At its lower end the tooth lever 26 is connected to an arm 28 which is operated by a cam to actuate the feeding tooth, the cam being operated by a rotary control element as disclosed in my Patent applications Nos. 771,000, now U. S. Patent No. 2,650,831, and 714,271, now U. S, Patent No. 2,640,705.

The feeding tooth lever 26 is provided with a projection or hook 29 engaging the adjacent wall 6 of the platform support when in its rear position. Spring means bias the tooth lever 26 to its rear position. Conveniently these spring means comprise the spring 14 connected between the tooth lever 26 and the index arm 13 and also act to return the support from the 10" to the 12" position.

A pivoted steadying arm 30 for 10. and 12" records is mounted on the platform support and is provided with a lateral arm 30a having cushions 31 to engage the records.

In order to provide a marginal support for 7 small hole records a manually operable platform 32 is pivotally mounted at 33 on the platform support and is adapted .to be turned over to a rearward position when playing 10" or 12" records.

Whenplaying 7" small hole records the 7 platform 32 is turned over to its operative position and is supported upon side projections 34 on the 10 and 12" platform. The 7" platform is provided with a feeding tooth comprising a plate 35 havingan aperture 36 which is engage- .able by the before-mentioned feeding tooth 24. The feedplatform and steadying not supplied with a 7" record player, comprising,

' end of said support and said support being oscillatable about a horizontal axis -Conveniently the 7" platform 32 is of a length such that it overlies the lateral arm of the steadying arm 30 which carries the cushions 31 and the positions of the 7" arm, when in the playing position, do not interfere with 7" large hole records when such are being used.

Moreover, with the 7 platform and steadying arm m such position, movement of the platform support from the 10" to 12 will result in the lateral arm 30a lifting the 7" platform 32 to disengage the feeding tooth 24 and plate 35.

The selecting lever 10 is operatively connected to a pick-up selector arm 42 of the nature disclosed in my patent application No. 771,000, by means of linkage 38, 39, 40, 41, such arm 42 having an additional formation corresponding to a 7 record.

It will be appreciated that the improved platform may be employed for record changing phonographs which are large diameter hole unit.

I claim:

1. Mechanism for supporting the marginal edges of, and for selectively discharging, 12", 10" or 7" records mounted on a central offset spindle of a phonograph in combination, an upwardly extending platform supportya first platform rockably mounted on the upper end of said support and having a record supporting lip; said support being oscillatable about a horizontal axis spaced from its upper end for movement of said first platform between positions supporting the marginal edges, respectively, of 10" and 12" records; linkage connected to said first platform and to said support and effective to rock said first platform, upon oscillation of said support, to position the record supporting lip thereof in the correct vertical position for support of a record; a record feeding member, including a lever oscillatable about a horizontal axis in said support and carrying a feeding member having a tooth projecting through a slot in said first platform adjacent said supporting lip to contact the marginal edge of a record supported thereon in any position of said support for displacing the record relative to said first platform; a second platform swingably mounted on said first platform for movement about a horizontal axis, between a retracted position and a second position extending in aligned relation from said first platform toward the spindle to support the marginal edges of 7" records; a feeding element longitudinally reciprocably mounted on said second plat form for contact with the marginal edge of a 7" record supported thereon in said second position; said feeding element being formed with an aperture aligned with said slot and closely embracing said tooth only in the second position of said second platform for operation of said feeding element by said feeding member to displace a 7" record relatively to said second platform.

2. Mechanism for supporting the marginal edges of, and for selectively discharging, 12'', 10" or 7" records mounted on a central offset spindle of a phonograph record player, comprising, in combination, an upwardly extending platform support in radially spaced relation to the spindle; a first platform rockably mounted on the upper having a record supporting lip;

first platform ad acent said supporting lip to contact the marginal edge of a record supported thereon in any position of said support for, displacing the record relative to said first platform, a secour! platform swingably mounted on said first platform for movement, about a horizontal axis, between a retracted position and a second position extending in aligned relation from said first platform toward the spindle to support the marginal edges of 7" records; a feeding element longitudinally reciprocably mounted on said second platform for contact with the marginal edge of a 7" record supported thereon in said second position; said feeding element being formed with an aperture aligned with said slot and closely embracing said tooth only in the second position of said second platform for operation of said feeding element by said feeding member to displace a 7" record relative to said second platform.

3. Mechanism for supporting the marginal edges of, and for selectively discharging, 12", 10" or 7" records mounted on a central offset spindle of a phonograph record player, comprising, in combination, an upwardly extending platform support; a first platform rockably mounted on the upper end of said support and having a record supporting lip; said support being oscillatableabout a horizontal axis spaced from its upper end for movement of said first platform between positions supporting the marginal edges, respectively, of 10" and 12" records; linkage connected to said first platform and to said support and elfective to rock said first platform, upon oscillation of said support, to position the record supporting lip thereof in the correct vertical position for support of a record; a record feeding member, including a lever oscillatable about a horizontal axis in said support and carrying a feeding member having a tooth projecting through a slot in said first platform adjacent said supporting lip to contact the marginal edge of a record supported thereon in any position of said support for displacing the record relative to said first platform; a second platform swingably mounted on said first platform for movement, about a horizontal axis, between a retracted position and a second position extending in aligned relation from said first platform toward the spindle to support the marginal edges of 7" records; a feeding element longitudinally reciprocably mounted on said second platform for contact with the marginal edge of a 7" record supported thereon in said second position; said feeding element being formed with an aperture aligned with said slot and closely embracing said tooth only in the said second platform for operation of said feeding element by said feeding member to displace a 7" record relative to said second platform; and means, effective, in the second position of said second platform, to maintain said platform in alignment with said first platform.

4. Mechanism for supporting the marginal edges of, and for selectively discharging, 12", 10" or 7" records mounted on a central offset spindle of a phonograph record player comprising, in combination, an upwardly extending platform support; a first platform rockably mounted on the upper end of said support and having a record supporting lip; said support being oscillatable about a horizontal axis spaced from its upper end for movement of said first platform between positions supporting the marginal edges, respectively, of 10" and 12" records; linkage connected to said first platform and to said support and effective to rock said first platform upon oscillation of said support, to position the record supporting lip thereof in the correct vertical position for support of a record; a record feeding member, including a lever oscillatable about a horizontal axis in said support and carrying a feeding member having a tooth projecting 0nd platform swingably horizontal axis, between a retracted position and a second position extending in aligned relation from said first platform toward the spindle to support the marginal edges of 7" records; a feeding element longitudinally reciprocably mounted on said second platform for contact with the marginal edge of a 7" record supported thereon in said second position; said feeding element being formed with an aperture aligned with said slot and closely embracing said tooth only in the second position of said second platform for operation of said feeding element by said feeding member to displace a 7" record relative to said second platform; a support operating lever; cam means carried by said lever and operatively associated with a follower carried by said support for movement of said support by said lever between the 10" and 12" record supporting positions; a tone arm; and means connecting said lever and said tone arm effective to set the initial record engaging position of said tone arm in accordance with the selected record supporting position of said support; said lever being movable from the 10" to the 7" record supporting position, to position said tone arm, and said cam means being ineffective on said follower during such latter movement.

5. Record supporting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 7" record feeding element comprises a plate having an aperture adapted to engage the tooth.

6. Record supporting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform support is pivotally mounted upon a bracket securable to the motor board of a phonograph and is displaced from the 12" to the 10" position by a pivoted tone arm selecting lever having a cam surface engaging an abutment on the mounting, said lever having a movement when the first platform is in the 10 position for setting the tone arm to the 7" position without displacing the supporting means.

7. Record supporting means as claimed in claim 1,

wherein a steadying arm for the 12" and 10" records is pivotally mounted on the platform support and has an arm adapted tounderlie the second platform when the latter is in the operative position, whereby said element will be moved to its inoperative position when the steadying arm is lifted for mounting a stack of 10 or 12" records in position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

